Owen And Billy Are Eddie Problems
The Rugby Paper|October 13, 2019
Nick Cain arrives in Tokyo to find Eddie Jones confronted by some big selectorial decisions
Owen And Billy Are Eddie Problems

Eddie Jones finds himself ambushed by a typhoon as he wrestles with unresolved selection issues that could be the difference between beating Australia or returning home as a busted flush.

The cancellation of the match with France has cost him his last chance for experimentation. So now what does he do about Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola, both established as world class during the high points of Jones’ but so far in Japan shadows of their finest form?

This was highlighted against Argentina, where the Saracens duo were a long way below par. Farrell, who with 841 points is second only to Jonny Wilkinson as England’s most prolific marksman, was on target with only half of his attempts at goal.

This may have been attributable, at least in part, to Tomas Lavinini slamming his shoulder into Farrell’s neck/jaw – although the England skipper insisted that he was not adversely affected. There were four first-half misses, three of them after the ‘hit’, and four successes from four in the second-half after he had more time to recuperate.

It might also explain why attack coach Scott Weismantel said this week that Farrell had told him he felt a bit ‘clunky’ at 12 – as in his timing and movement being laboured -- despite the six tries England scored against the Pumas.

This puts Farrell’s 10-12 partnership with George Ford under scrutiny, and rightly so, because since the big warmup win over Ireland the captain has been less of a fulcrum.

There is little doubt that Ford’s Six Nations rescue act against Scotland, prompting and then scoring the late try to earn a draw, reminded Jones of what he can do.

Yet, while Ford has flourished since then, helped by being on the front foot at 10 against the weaker opposition in the pool, and in the pre-tournament warm-ups, Farrell has been increasingly on the fringes – apart from being on the head-hunters’ hit-list.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 13, 2019 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 13, 2019 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE RUGBY PAPER مشاهدة الكل
Leaking 42 points at home is 'unforgivable'
The Rugby Paper

Leaking 42 points at home is 'unforgivable'

DEFLATED Jamie George declared his side were not up to scratch after they slumped to another dismal defeat at England headquarters.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
The Rugby Paper

Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy

TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
South America look to keep on building
The Rugby Paper

South America look to keep on building

AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Scarratt excited by new pathway
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt excited by new pathway

ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Baxter: I want to make things better
The Rugby Paper

Baxter: I want to make things better

ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Pearce walks in his father's footsteps

PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
New England group will cause uncertainty
The Rugby Paper

New England group will cause uncertainty

SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Galthie turns his sights to the future
The Rugby Paper

Galthie turns his sights to the future

FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
The Rugby Paper

Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson

CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
The Rugby Paper

Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath

BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024